The Moral Monday actions have not exactly been underground. There are hashtags and Twitter accounts for the movement. Yet, it seems that the civil disobedience during Monday’s evening rush hour took a number of people, including some reporters, by surprise — despite the intentions being announced on Real Hartford and elsewhere.
Those engaging in acts of civil disobedience expect to be arrested. Through nonviolence, they choose to break a law or laws to rally support and gain more attention for the cause.
In this case, local clergy and other activists chanted “Black Lives Matter” while some of those participating chose to link hands and impede access to an I-84 ramp after gathering at State House Square.
Seventeen individuals were arrested. Their bail was reduced from $5000 to a “promise to appear.”
According to the Hartford Police Department, these were the individuals arrested this afternoon:
Alan L. Benford, age 54 of Manchester, CT.
Anthony L. Bennett, age 49, of Bridgeport, CT.
Sofia W. Buyniski, age 59, of Colchester, CT.
Jan M. Carlsson-Bull, age 72, of Middletown, CT.
Debra Cohen, age 63, of Wethersfield, CT.
Christopher J. Doucot, age 47, of Hartford, CT.
Vanessa Gonzalez, age 40, of West Hartford, CT.
Brian M. Kavanagh, age 71, of Hartford, CT.
Cornell Lewis, age 65, of Bloomfield, CT.
Robin McHaelen, age 60, of Manchester, CT.
Matthew B. Mclaughlin, age 30, of Hartford, CT.
Jessica Offir, age 50, of Coventry, CT.
Joshua M. Paweler, [sic] age 46, of Glastonbury, CT.
John L. Selders, age 52, of Hartford, CT.
Angela Swagner, age 64, of Kensington, CT.
Oshun-Anna M. Vicente, age 46, of Hartford, CT.
Michael T. Walton, age 39, of Bridgeport, CT.
The Storify below shows photos and commentary by Joshua Blanchfield, who was there:
bruce rubenstein
Mayor Segarra has made Hartford into a place where no one feels safe……where justice and legality are selective…where the connected and wealthy matter more. The city’s name should change to “Wayward Pines”.
Kerri Provost
Could you explain how this connects to Mayor Segarra?
Bruce Rubenstein
Kerri, I believe that Mayor Segarra has done little to nothing for the afro american community, including not giving that community the police protection that it deserves…which is a form of indirect racism and thus CONNECTS with your post.
Kerri Provost
If you are going to make accusations against an individual, be prepared to back it up. How has Segarra not given this? Please provide facts to enlighten the rest of the Real Hartford readership, otherwise this sounds merely like ax-grinding.
Bruce Rubenstein
Here are your facts…last year the HPD did a staff study and determined that 60-80 additional cops are needed. Said staffing report was sent to the Mayor by the Police Chief,which he promptly ignored.By ignoring that report,the Mayor created the atmosphere for which the violence spiked upwards since January as a result,among other things,of less police coverage.The reulting less police coverage hurts minorities of color the most since they comprise the majority of the population.The Mayor has made a big deal of comforting the families of the victims,too bad he hasn’t told them that he ignored the staffing report and provided the atmosphere for the violence.
Kerri Provost
Don’t think that asking for someone to substantiate claims is asking too much, Bruce. Especially during an election year
Bruce Rubenstein
I quite agree Kerri,which is why I sent you the staffing report this morning..have a nice day.
Kerri Provost
For anyone interested, here is the source that Bruce referenced and provided:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/266696725/Hartford-Police-Department-Staffing-and-Deployment-Analysis-3-02-201-2